Water softening apparatus



Jan. 12, 1937. A. c. zlMMERMAN ET A1. 2,057,808

WATER SOFTENING APPARA TU S A TTO/WVEVS Jan- 12, 1937 A. c. ZIMMERMAN ET Al. 2,067,308

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June v26, 1933 ATTORNEYS Jan.` 12, 1937. A. c. ZIMMERMAN ET AL 2,067,808

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed June 26, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 12, 1937.

AA. c. zlMMl-:RMAN ET AL 2,067,808

WATER S'OFTENING APPARATU S -5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 26, 1953 Jan. l2,v 1937. A. c. ZIMMERMAN Er AL 4 WATER SOFTENING AP-PARATUS Filed June 26, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 s n EK s WMM H ma J w NZM R wak. T m WRF. ax. .W4 MN m i a 5J .d 2 9 n@ G W Patented Jan. l2, 1937 Prem OFFICE 2,067,808 WATER fsorrENiNG arPAaA'rUs Arthur C. Zimmerman and Frank E. Knaack,

Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Duro Company, l

Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 26, 1933, SerlalNo. 677,566 l 26 Claims.

. means to by-pass part of the water from the passageway to cut off the passageway and to cause brine to pass through the softening tank, and automatically operated means for by-passing an additional part of the water for refilling the brine tank and rinsing 'the softening tank, and finally opening the passageway, said automatic means being controlled in its operation by the quantity of liquid in the brine tank.

A particular object of this invention is `to provide a water softening system which can be started on a cycle of regeneration, washing, brine rell and restoration of the apparatus to softening position by the movement in one direction of a handle. Such handle may be operated manually or otherwise, and either directly from the machine or remotely.

It is our object to provide a machine that when the handle is once set thereafter the timing of the period of applying the brine will depend upon the amount of` brine that is applied; and the period of washing will depend upon the amount of refill water that is necessary to restore the brine to its original quantity; and the completion of the restoration of the refill water will restore the system automatically to its' softening position.

These and other objects will appear from the following description taken inconnection with the drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the softeningtank and the brine tank, with the operating mechanism associated therewith located on top of the brine tank.

Figure 2.is a top plan view of the softening apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the casing located on top vof the brine tank and inclosing the operating mechanism, and showing in elevation the operating mechanism.

Figure 4 is a section through the valve mechanism operated to controlthe direction of the o of the water.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the control mechanism showing a part thereof in section, 6

with the operative parts in ing purposes. pa;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but with the parts in position for regenerating the softening material.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 but with the parts automatically shifted from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in this figure, in which the water is directed for refilling the brine tank and rinsing the softening tank.

Figure 8 is a vertical section through a dirt trap connected to the brine pipe.

The brine tank, indicated by the numeral I, is located adjacent a softening tank 2 and is conposition for softenL are made of sheet metal, and on top of the brine tank is located a valve casing 3, which has connected thereto a hard water pipe 4 which opens into an inlet passageway 5 leading into a valve nected therewith by suitable pipes. These tanks chamber Ii. From this valve chamber leads a 2% is a valve seat 9. Between these two valve seats 9@ is a valve I 0, which has on' one face a gasket II to engage the valve seat 8, and on the other face a gasket I2 adapted to engage the valve seat 9.

Extending from the valve is a valve stem I3,

which extends in a direction oppositeV the inlet w passageway and through a casing composed of a part It threaded at I5 into the valve casing and into which is threaded a second part I6.

In rthe part Ill is a packing Il around the valve stem. This packing is forced into close 4@ engagement with the bottom of the part I4 and with the valve stem by means of a gland I8 and a spring I9 between the gland and the closed end of the part I6. On the end of the stem remote from the valve is a head 20, which has between it and the open end of the part I4 a spring 2|, which tends to hold the valve in the position shown in Figure 4. On this head is a' disc 22, which is engaged by a diaphragm 22a. The valve casing is supported on the brine tank by means of a fitting 23.

Extending from the drain passageway is a drain pipe 24. Extending from the chamber 6 to the bottom of the softening4 tank 2 is a pipe 25. The softening tank is closed at itstop by means of a top 26, from which a pipe 21"extends to the valve chamber 28 in the casing opposite chamber 28 is a valve seat 3|.

Leading from the chamber 28 is a passageway 32 which has around it adjacent the chamber a valve seat 33. In the valve chamber 28, between the two seats, is a valve 34, which has on v-one face a gasket 35 to engage the valve seat 3|, and on its other face a gasket 36 adapted toA engage the valve seat 33. Extending from the valveis'a valve stem 31, which passes through a casing composed of a cup-shaped part 38, threaded at 39 to the casing, and a second cupshaped part 49 threaded into the first part. In

the bottom of the rst part, around the valve stem, is a packing 4| held in place by means of a gland 42 and a spring 43 between the gland and one end of the part 40 of the casing.

On the valve stem is a head 44, which has between it and the open end of the part' 38 a spring 454 normally holding the valve against the valve seat 33. On this head is a disc 46 which is engaged by a diaphragm 41. 'Ihis diaphragm is continuous with and forms a.. part of the diaphragm 22a, and is held on the casing by means of acap48 and screws 49 passing through the cap into the valve casing. The vcap has therein a partition 50, dividing the cap into tw chambers 5| and 52.

' The hole 62 lforms an inlet into this casing. Ad-

This partition cooperates with a projection 53 on the valve casing to clamp the diaphragms between the two chambers. In the partition is a hold 5 4 to providev communication from one chamber to the other. In the cap there, is pro- .vided an inlet passageway 55 into the chamber 52.V .The uid admitted through this passage-` way into chamber 52 may pass into chamber 5lv through the hole 54.

#Threaded into the valve casing and about the passageway 3.2 is an ,injector casing 56, which has intermediate its ends a venturi passage' .-sageway1 32. In one side of the injector casin is an inlet opening 59.

Extendingfrom the passageway 5 in the valve casing 3 isan outlet 60. to which is attached one yinto one end of a second valve casing 64. This plug forms with the valve casing a chamber 64a.

jacent the casing and inline with the hole 62 is a restricted extension ofthe chamber 64a.

In lthe chamber 64a is a valve 66 adapted to engage a seat 81 onl the plug 83, and a seat 68 on thevalve casing around the restricted extension' 7', in ,which a packing 1| is provided around the stem. 'I'hispacking is held in placeV by means of a gland 12 and a spring 13. This spring is held against the gland by means of a cap 14 threaded on the end ofthe valveA VFrom the chamthe plug 51 by means of a threaded projection 5 19. A pipe 80 connected at one endvto the T- coupling 18 extends to and is connected at its other end to a tting 8| threaded into the inlet passageway 55 in the cap. 48. A pipe182 connected at one end to the outlet 16 extends to and 10 is threaded at its other end ina T-tting 83, which is threaded in the inlet 59 of the injector casing. Extending from the T-tting is a pipe 84 connected at one end to this fitting and at its other end to a fitting 85, threaded into a 15 plug |'2I in the upper end of a dirt trap 86,

suitably supported at one side of the valve casing 3. The numeral 81 indicates a brine line extending from Within the brine tank to the dirt trap.

The nature of the connection between the brine j20- line 81 and the dirt trap will be later described.

a spring 95, which engages at its other end with 30 the sleeve 93. 'I'his spring acting on the plunger, and through the plunger on the valve stem 69,

tends to hold the valve in engagement with the valve seat 61, as shown in Figure 5. When in A this position the softening apparatus is operating 35 for softening purposes.

The plunger has therein a, slot in which a projection 98 of a lever bracket 96 nts. This lever is pivoted at 91 to the valve bracket 88. Sub- .tantially above the sleeve 89 an arm 99 is piv'- 40 oted at |00 on the valve bracket 88. On this arm is a pin |0| adapted to be engaged by apawl |02, pivoted at one end at |03 to the lever bracket 96. This pawl is urged downwardly by means of aspring |02a.

0n the other end of the pawl remote from the pivot |03 is a hook |04, which has a cam surface |05 on the end of the pawl, anda second linclined cam surface |05a forming a pin-engaging O n the arm 99 is an escapement pin 50 surface.

|06, located vadjacent the sleeve 89, and another escapement pin |01 is located on the arm 99 adjacent the pin |0|. Pivoted on the pivot 91 of the lever bracket is an escapement lever |08,

-which hasV on one end a pallet |09 adapted to 55 engage the escapement pin |01, and on its other end a pallet ||0 adapted to engage theescapement p1n|06. y

On the escapement lever is a socket member Ill, which supports one end of a oat lever` ||2. 60

On the other end 'of this float lever are two washers II3, which receive a float rod H4 and are adapted to'engage an upper pin H5, or a lower pin ||6on the oat rod. The iloatrod extends into the brine tank and isguiqed therein` 5 by means of a guide H8. This iioat rod has on its lower end a oat Ill. A handle ||9 is inl, s'erted in a socket |20 inthe lever .bracket 96 for manipulating the lever and moving the plunger for operating the valve 66. v

In Figure 8 the dirt trap is shown in vertical, longitudinal section.l l The plug |2'| in the upper end of the trap has therein arestricted hole |22.

' I'he brine pipe leads from the brine tank to an .75 v

This valve bracket has thereon,*in line 2,5

elbow |23 connected to the dirt trap by meansl of a plug |24. The plug is locatediin the dirt trap closely adjacent the plug |2| and the hole |22 therein. The dirt trap provides a well of substantial depth extending below the top to catch dirt and other solid matter that may be lin thevbrine tank. The brine drawn from the brine tank into the dirt trap enters the well and is checked in its movement therein so that foreign matter will drop to the bottom of the well, while the brine is discharged through the restricted opening.

In the position shown in Figure 5 the softener is in position for softening purposes. i If it should be desired to regenerate the softening material in the softening tank the handle ||9 is moved from the position yshown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 6. When the handle ||9 is in the position shown in Figure 6 the inlet into the chamber 64a is open but the restricted chamber is closed; because the valve engages the valve seat 68 the water will pass through the pipe 11 to the T-coupling 18. From this tting a part of 'the water'passes through the injector into the valve casing and draws brine from the brine tank so it can be -fed into the softening tank for relgenerating purposes.

Another part of this water from the pipe 11 passes through the T-coupling 10 and pipe 80,

into the chambers for providing pressure upon the oat will cause the upper pin H5 to engage :regenerating purposes.

the washer H3, thereby causingA the escapement members to operate so that the handle will assume the position shown in Figure '1.

In Figure 6 it will be observed that the pin |06 is in engagement with the pallet l| I whereby the valve 6B isheld against the seat 68. The lowering of the brine pulls the free end of the lever SI2 down, thereby withdrawing the pallet H0 from the pin |06 andcausing the pallet |09 to engage the pin 01 whereby the valve 56 is held free from its seats.' In this position the valve 66 is substantially midway between the seats 61 and 58 so that water may pass from the chamber 60a., out through both of the outlets. The water passing through the pipe ,82 enters the injector casing ,throughv the T-fitting 83, lcounteracting the injectorforce of the water entering the injector casing through the T-coupling 18, and causes the hard water to flow vthrough the p ipe 82 into the pipe B0 for refilling the brine tank,

and through the injectorcasing for rinsing theV softening tank.

` This operation continues until the brine .tank has become suihciently full that it raises the lever H2 and withdraws the pallet |09 from the pinl 01', when the parts through the operation of the spring 95 assume the position shown in` Figure 5 and the apparatus is in water softening condition. The parts remain in Athis position until the handle H9 is manually operated for In removing th'e handle ii!! from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure 6 the pawlengages the pin- |0|. The pawl engages this pin until the downward movement of the oat releases the pallet I0 from the pin |06.

The pin, being released from the pawl, the spring 95 forces the plunger to the right, as

shown 'inFigure 7, and positions the valve in starting the regenerating operation.

substantially the center of the chamber 64a. All' operations are automatic with the exception of the manual movement of the handle for 'IAhe operating mechanism located on top of the brine tank is inclosed within the casing 3, which has a removable -cover |26 through which the handle ||9 extends by means of a slot |21. On the lever bracket 96 is a cam arm 96a. When the valve 66 is in thev softening position in engagement with the seat 61 the pin |0| rests on top of this cam arm 96a, thereby supporting the arm` 99 and the pin |0| so that the cam end of the pawl |02 will pass over the pin as the handle ||9 is manually pushed to the right, as shown in Figure 5. `When this handle ||9 is pushed 'to its extremeright-hand position, as shown in Figure 6, the pin |0| engages the cam surface |05a on the pawl and at the same time the pallet ||0 engages the pin |06 on its lower righthand side. Between the pawl |02 and the pallet ||0 the arm 99 is held in ai fixed position.

As the brine becomes lower in the brine tank the float lever ||2,will be lowered, thereby releasing the pallet ||0 from the pin |06 and bringing the pallet |09 in engagement with the pin |01, as shown in Figure 7. The handle ||9 moves to the left, due to the action of the spring 95, when the pallet ||0 is released from the pin |06.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 7 the arm 99 is held against movement in one direction by means of the pallet |09 and the pin |01, and on the other hand by means of the cam arm 96a engaging a cam surface |0|a on the lower righthand side of the pin |0|. While the parts are in the position shown in Figure '1 rinsing of the softening tank and therelling.

of the brine tank are taking place. As the brine rises in the brine tank the lever ||2 is elevated, thereby releasing the pin |01 from engagment with the pallet |09 and permitting the spring 95 to forcej-the valve'66 against ,the seat 61, and at the same time forcing the handle ||9 into its extreme lefthand position, as shown in Figure 5, where the pallet |||3 is in. position to engage the pin |06. The arm 99 is supported by the pin |0| on 'top of the cam arm 96a.

When the operator desires to regenerate the system, he forces the handle l I9 in the desired direction and thereby sets the apparatus in regenerating position so that aportion of the hard water, acting through the injector, will apply the brine to the water softening material and continue this application until the oat in the brine tank descends to such ,a point as to unlock the apparatus thus set. This results in killing the vacuum and cutting oi the injection of brine, While permitting the ow of the hard water to wash the brine out of the mineral and at lthe same time the brine tank is relled.

When the oat rises to the filled position of the brine tank, then the handle ||9 is restored to its initial position andso are the accompanying parts. The hard water pressure is used for controlling the soft water service and hard water inlet valves. The hard water is applied to the bottom of the mineral so that softening takes place by the water moving upwardly, while brining and washing take place downwardly.

It will be understood that it is desired to cornprehend within this invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

l passageway, mechanical means to divertpart of the water from the passageway, means operated by said diverted water to close the passageway and cause a flow of brine through the softening tank for regeneration, means operated by the fall of the brine in the brine tank to divert water' from the passageway to stop the owf of brine and refill the brine tank, and means operated by the rise of brine in the brine tank to cut off all of the diverted water, whereby theA passage way is again open.

2. In a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a softening tank to provide a water passageway, mechanical means to divert part of the water from the passageway, means operlated by said diverted water to close the passageway and cause a flow of brine through the softening tank for regeneration, means operated by the fall of the brine in the brine tank to divert more water fromthe passageway to stop the brine flow to refill the brine tank and to rinse the brine from the softening tank, and means operated by the rise of brine in the brine tank to cut olf all of the diverted water, whereby the passageway is again open.

3. In `a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a water passageway including a softening tank, a casing having therein a chamber in communication with the passageway, a water inlet for said casing, 4said chamber having a first outlet adapted to supply water to rclose the passageway and force brine from the brine tank through the softening tank, said chamber also having a second outlet adapted to supply water to stop the brine ow and/also to refill the brine tank and to rinse the softening tank, a valve member in said casing, mechanical means to tening tank, .a valve in the'passagewaybefore itmove the valve member to open communication between the water inlet and the f rst outlet Land to close communication between the water inlet and the second outlet, and automatic means to move the valvemember to open communication between said water inlet and the second outlet and thereafter to move the valve member to close communication between said 'water inlet and said first outlet. 'l i 4. In a water lsoftener, a brine tank, means comprising a softening tank to provide a water passageway, a float in the brine tank, means to .divert a part of the water from the passageway, means operated by the diverted water to close thepass'ageway and to force brine from the brine tank through the softening tankand means operated by the oat to divert another 'part -of the water from the passageway to refill the brine tank and rinse the softening tank. Y

5. In a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a. water passageway* including a sofenters the 'softening tank and another valvefin the passageway after it leaves the softening tank,

.'a drain pipe connected to the passagewaybetening tank, means to divert a part of the water from the passageway, means operated by the di.

. verted waterto move the valves to close the passageway, means operated by the .diverted water `into the softening tank and out at the drain pipe, and means operated by the brine in the tank to divert more of the water from the passageway to refill the brine tank and rinse the softening tank.

6. In a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a water passageway including a sof- -tening tank, a valve in the passageway before it enters the softening tank and another valve in the passageway after it leaves the softening tank, a drain pipe connected to the passageway beyondone valve'from the softening tank, a brine pipe leading from the brine tank into the passageway between the other valve and the softening tank, means to divert a part of the water from the passageway, means operated by the diverted water to move the valves to close the passageway, means operated by the diverted water to draw brine from the brine tank and force it into the softening tank and out at the drain pipe, and means operated by the brine in the tank to divert more of the waterv from the passageway to rell the brine tank and rinse the softening tank, said second-named means and said last-named means comprising a common valve.

7. In a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a water passageway including a softening tank, a valve in the passageway before it enters the softening tank and another valve in the passageway after it leaves the softening tank, a drain pipe connected to the passageway beyond one valve from the softening tank, an injector in the passageway between the otherfvalve and the softening tank, a pipe connecting the brine4 tank to the injector, means to divert a part of the water. from the passageway to the injector to draw brine from the brine tank and to force it through the softening tank and out at the drain pipe, means operated by the diverted water to move the valves to close the passageway, and means to divert another part of the water from the passageway to the injector to refill the brine 5 tank and rinse the softening tank, said secondnamed means and the last-named means comprising a common valve.

8. In a water softener, a brine tank, means comprising a water passageway including la s oftening tank, a valve in the passageway before it enters the softening tank and another valve in the passageway after it leaves the softening tank, a drainpipe connected to the passageway beyond one valve from the softening tank, aninjector in the passageway between the other valve and the softening tank, said injector having in one side one arm of a T-fitting, a valve casing having a chamber, said casing having an inlet connected to the passageway bya pipe, said casing having two` outlets, one outlet connected to the oend of the injector by a pipe and the other outlet connected to one arm of the T-tting in the side'of the injector, a pipe from the brine tank to the other arm of the T-tting, a valve in the casing normally closing the inlet, mechanical means to movethe valve toI open the inlet and close yone outlet, whereby water from the passageway acts on the injectorfto force brine through the softening tank, means operated by A the water from the passageway to close the passageway valves, and means to automatically move the valve to open the closed outlet, whereby j water is admitted to'the injector to rell the brine tank and to the softening tank to rinse it.

9.In `combination, a brine tank, means to provide a passageway for water, a valve casing u to draw brine from the brinel tank 'andforce it ywith achamber. .therein having an inlet conu 2,067,808 nected to the passageway, an injector in said the valve in a position to close the inlet, manually operated means to move the valve to open the inlet and close one outlet, whereby water will enter the injector to draw brine from the tank, means operated by the water to the injector to cut off that portion of the passageway into 4which brine is injected, and means operated by the brine in the tank reaching a low level to move the valve to open the other outlet to refill the brine tank.

10. In combination, a brine tank, means to provide a passageway for water, a valve casing with a chamber therein having an inlet connected to the passageway, an injector in said passageway, said casing having a pair of outlets, a pipe connecting one outlet to the end of the injector, a pipe connecting the other outlet to one side of the injector and to the brine tank, a valve in the chamber, means tending to hold the valve in a position to close the inlet, manually operated means to move the 'valve to open the inlet and close one outlet, whereby waterY will enter the injector to draw brine from the tank, means operated by the water to the injector to cut oil that portion of the passageway into which brine is injected, means operated by' the brine in the tank reaching a. low level to move the valve to open the other outlet to rell the brine tank, and means operated by the brine as it lls the tank to cause'the valve lto close the inlet.

11. In combination, a brine tank, means forming apassageway, an injector in said passageway, a casing forming a chamber having an inlet and a pair of outlets, a pipeconnecting the passageway to the inlet, a pipe connecting the injector to the brine tank and to one outlet, a pipe connecting the other outlet tothe injector to draw brine from the tank, a valve in the chamber normally closing the inlet, manually operated means to move the valve to open the inlet and close said one outlet, whereby brine is drawn from the brine tank into the passageway, means operated by the water from said one outlet to cut o that portion of the passageway into which the brine is forced, means operated by the low level of the brine in the tank to cause the valve to move to open the other outlet, means to stop the valve before it closes the inlet, whereby the brine tank is refilled and the passageway is rinsed, and means operated by a high level of the brine to release the stop, whereby the inlet is closed and the passageway is opened.

12. In a water softener, a brine tank, means including a softening tank to provide a passageway, a casing chamber having an inlet connected to the passageway, said chamber havingv a pair of outlets, a pairv of valves for cutting off the softening tank from the other parts of thepassageway, a valve in the chamber, means tending to hold the last-named valve in a position to close the inlet, manually operated means to move the last-named valve to open the inlet and close one outlet, whereby water is diverted from-the passageway, means to hold the valve thus moved, means operated by the diverted water to move the pair of lvalves to cut o the softening tank and force brine from the brine tank through the softening tank, means operated by the brine as it reaches a low level in the brine tank to.

release the holding means, whereby the closed outlet is opened and other water is diverted from the passageway, means to automatically stop and hold the valve so that the inlet and both outlets are open, means operated by theV water through the once closed outlet to rell the brine tank and rinse the softening tank, and means operated by the rising of the brine in the brine ,tank to release the stop, and 'holding means to close the inlet to the chamber, whereby the passageway is open through the softening tank.

13. In a water softener, a brine tank, mea forming a water passageway, means to force brine into the passageway, means to prevent the brine from flowing into the passageway, said last two means including a casing chamber having an inlet connected to the passageway and a pair of outlets, a valve in the chamber, a spring tending to hold the valve in position to close the inlet, manual means to move the valve to open the inlet and close one outlet, whereby brine is forced -from the brine tank into the passageway, means to lock the valve thus moved, means to release the lock means, whereby the closed inlet is opened and the flow of brine is counteractedA and stopped, vmeans to automatically stop. and hold the valve so that the inlet and both outlets are open, and means operated by the .rising of the brine in the brine tank to release the stop and hold the means whereby the inlet is closed.

14. In a water softener, a brine tank, means forming a water passageway, means to force brine into the passageway, means to prevent the brine from flowing into the passageway, said last two means including a casing chamber having an inlet connected to the passageway and a pair of outlets, a. valve in the chamber, a spring tending to holding the valve in position to close the inlet, manual means to move the valve to open the inlet and close one outlet, whereby brine is forced from the brine tank into the passageway, means to lock-the valve thus moved,

` a floatl operated by the brine as it reaches'a lower level to release the lock means, whereby the closed inlet is openedand the flow of brine is counteracted and stopped, means to automatically stop and hold the valve so that the inlet and both outlets are open, and a. float operated by the rising of the brine in the brine tank to release the stop and hold the float whereby the inlet is closed.

. l5. In a method of water softening, cutting olf thesoft water supply, reversing the direction of water through the water softening material, injecting brine with the water, cutting off the brine injection when a predetermined quantity ofA brine leaving the softening material to a service line as soft water.

16. In a method of water softening in which the softening takes place by the upward movement of hard water and washing and brining 25 operated by the brine as it reaches a lower level take place with the downward movement of hard water through the softening material, manually setting the parts for reversing the direction of the brine to its original quantity when the quantity of brine has decreased a predetermined amount, and finally cutting i the relling of the brine,A stopping the washing of the softening material and restoring the connection to service and reversing the direction of the water upon restoring the brine to its original quantity.

1'7. In combination, a casing forming a valve chamber having an inlet and a pair of outlets, a valve in the chamber adapted to close the inlet or one outlet, means tending to hold the valve in position to close the inlet,- means to move the valve to open the inlet Aand close the outlet, means to lock said last-named means to hold the valve so moved, and means operated as a consequence vof Water iiowing-through the casing to release the lock means to open the closed outlet.

18. In combination, a casing forming a valve chamber hai/ing an met and a pair of outlets, a

valve inv the chamber adapted to close the inlet.

or one outlet, a spring tending to hold the valve in position to close the inlet, means to move the valve to open th inlet and close the outlet, means to lock said ilrst-named means to hold. the valve so moved, means operated as a consequence of water flowing through the casing to release the lock means to open the closed outlet and lock said first-named means with the valve in' such position the inlet and the outlet are open, and meansV operated as a consequence of water flowing through the casing to entirely release: the first-named means to close the inlet;

f 19. In combination, a casing forming a valve!v chamber having an inlet and a pair of outlets, a valve in the chamber adapted to close-the inlet or one outlet, a spring tending to hold the valve in position to close the inlet, a bracket on the casing, an arm pivoted on the bracket, an escapement lever pivoted on the bracket, a. main lever pivoted on the bracket to move the valve to open the inlet and close the outlet, means on the arm acting on the lmain lever and onV the escapement lever to lock the main lever in position so the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, means to move the escapement in one direction to release said means, whereby the outlet is opened, meanson the main lever and the escapement lever to stop and hold the main lever sd that thel -inlet and the outlet are open, and means to move the escapement lever in another direction to release the stop and holding means whereby the valve willclose the inlet.

20. In combination, a-casing forming a valve chamber havingan inlet and a pair of outlets, afvalve in the chamber adapted to close the inlet or one outlet, a spring tending tol hold the valve in position to close the inlet, a bracket on the casing, an arm pivoted on the bracket, an

- escapement lever pivoted on the brackeaa main lever pivoted on the bracket Hto move the valve to open the inlet and close the outlet,` means on, nthe arm acting on the main lever and on the escapement lever to lock the main lever in position so that the inlet is open'and the outlet is closed, means to move-the--escapement inone direction to release said means whereby the outlet is opened, means on the main lever and the escapement lever to lstop and hold the mainleverl so the inlet and the outlet are open, and means to move the escapement lever in a reverse direction to release the stop and holding means whereby the valve will close the inlet.

21. In combination, a casing forming a valve chamber having an inlet and a pair of outlets, a valve in the .chamber adapted to close the inlet or one outlet, a spring tending to hold the valve in ositionto close the inlet, a bracket on the cas g, an arm pivoted on the bracket, van escapement lever pivoted on'the bracket, a main` lever pivoted on the bracket to move the valve to open the inlet and close the outlet, means on the arm acting on the main levr and on the escapement lever to lock the main lever in position so the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, means to move the escapement to release said means, whereby the outlet is opened, means on the main lever and the escapement lever to stop and hold the main lever so the inlet and the outlet are open, and means to move the escapement lever to release the stop and holding means whereby the valve will close the inlet.

22. In' combination with -a tank and a. source of water under pressure, a casing forming a chamber having an inlet connected to said source of water and a'pair of outlets; one outlet being always open to the tank for taking water therefrom and the other outlet connected to the tank to rell .it but adapted to be closed,

a valve in the chamber adapted to close the inlet vand said other outlet, a spring tending to hold the valve in a position to close the inlet, a main lever to move the valve to open the inlet and close said other outlet, an escapement lever, anarm cooperating with said levers to. lock the Amain lever in a position to holdthe inlet open and said other outlet closed* so that water will pass through said one outlet to take water from the tank, means operated by the lowering of the water in the tank to move the.

escapement lever to release the. main lever,

whereby said other outlet-is opened, cooperating means on the main lever and on the escapement lever to stop and hold the v main lever and the valve so the inlet and said other outlet are open, whereby the tank is refilled, and means operated by the rising of the water to move the escapement lever to disconnect said cooperating means so the valve will close the inlet after the water in the tank has reached a certain height. Y 23. In combination with a supply pipe, a 'service pipe, a softening tank and a brine tank, a valve casing forming a chamber connected to one end of the softening tank, to the brine tank and to the service pipe, said casing forming a second chamber connected to' the supply vpipe and to the other end of the softening tank and having a drain outlet, a valve in each chamber, meanstending to holdl the 'valves in positions to close off the brine tank and the drain outlet, and a common instrumentality to move the through the softening tank and.4 out through the drain outlet. f

24. In combination with a supply pipe, a` service pipe, a. softening tank and a brine tank, a

valve casing forming a chamber connected to one end of the softening tank, to the brine tank and vnchamber connected to the'supply pipe and to the Y,

other end of the softening tank and having a. drain outlet, a valve in'leach chamber, means to the service pipe, said casing forming a second o the brine tank'and the drain outlet, a common instrumentality to move the valves to shut off the service pipe and the supply pipe and force brine from the brine tank through the softening tank and out through the drain outlet, and means operated by the lowering of the brine in the brine tank to refill the brine tank and rinse the softening tank.

25. In combination with a supply pipe, a service pipe, a softening tank and a brine tank, la valve casing forming a chamber connected to one end of the softening tank, to the brine tank and to the service pipe, said casing forming a second chamber connected to the supply pipe and to the other' end of the softening tank and having a drain outlet, a` valve in each chamber, means tending to hold the valves in positions to close off the brine tank and the drain outlet, a common instrumentality to move the valves to shut off the service pipe and the supply pipe and force brine from the brine tank through the softening tank and out through the drain outlet, means operated by the lowering of the brine in the brine tank to refill thev brine tank and rinse the softening tank, and means operated by the rising of brine in the brine tank to cause the valves to move to open the service pipe and the supply pipe.

26. In combination with a supply pipe, a4 service pipe, a. softening'tank and a brine tank, a

valve casing fonning a chamber having a connection to one end of the softening tank, to the brine tank and to the service pipe, said connection to the brine tank comprising an injector, said casing forming a second chamber connected to the supply pipe and to the other end of the softening tank and having a drain outlet, a valve in each chamber, means tending to hold the valves in positions to close o the brine tank and the drain outlet, a second valve casing forming a chamber having an inlet connected to the supply pipe, an outlet connected to the injector, and a second outlet connected to the injector to operate in opposition to-the first outlet, a valve in the last-named valve chamber adapted to close the inlet or the second outlet, a spring tending to hold the last-named valve in position to close the inlet, manually operated means to move the last-named valve to open the inlet and close the second outlet, whereby the first-named valves are moved to shut off the supply pipe and the service pipe and brine is forced through .the injector, through the softening tank and out at the drain, and means operated by the falling and rising of the brine in the brine tank to rst'rinse the softening tank and relll the brine tank and thereafter to move the valves to open the supply pipe and the service pipe. 

